A drain cleaning snake, often also referred to as a "plumber's snake," is a mechanical tool designed for clearing clogged pipes. It is a long and flexible metal wire coiled into a spring shape, which is inserted directly into the drain, for example, in a sink, bathtub, or toilet. At one end of the snake, there is a handle or crank used for rotating it. This rotational movement helps the tool pass through pipe bends more easily and reach the site of the blockage. The end of the snake inserted into the pipe is specially shaped to either catch the obstruction and allow it to be pulled out, or to mechanically break it up and thereby restore water flow. Unlike chemical cleaners, it directly addresses the physical cause of the blockage, such as accumulated hair, grease deposits, or other debris. Snakes are manufactured in various lengths and diameters depending on the type of piping they are intended for.